National Improvement Framework

Two discussion sessions for teachers and parents on the Scottish Government's draft National Improvement Framework are taking place in Inverness on Wednesday (07 October).

The Scottish Government is developing a National Improvement Framework as the next phase of Curriculum for Excellence. The Framework will play an important role in driving work to close the attainment gap and continually improve Scottish education.

The afternoon and evening events at the Royal Highland Hotel in Academy Street follow events in Edinburgh and Glasgow, with further events to follow in Aberdeen.

"While there are many successes in Scottish education, including excellent teaching, record Higher and Advanced Higher results and more than nine in ten school-leavers securing jobs, training or continued education, we need to do more to ensure that our education system works for every child in Scotland.

"Our draft National Improvement Framework will build on a strong record of achievement, with the aim of ensuring we have the right information about children's progress right across Scotland. The Framework will look at a range of existing and new evidence which will tell us how we are progressing and where support is required for improvement purposes.

"One source of data will be a new standardised assessment, focusing on reading, writing and numeracy. This new system will help to reduce the burden of assessment, building on best practice and replacing the wide variety of approaches taken by local authorities with a new streamlined, consistent approach. Crucially, the assessments will inform teacher judgment, not replace it.

"I am looking forward to hearing the views of parents, teachers, children and others with an interest in improving Scottish education to support the development of the draft Framework."